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GPSU says its representation of GRA employees being hindered
President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Mr Patrick Yarde, is convinced that delay tactics have been engaged by Government officials with a view to impeding the union’s representation of Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) employees.
The GPSU had, some months ago, effected representation of certain GRA officers who had been dismissed following allegations of misconduct. The union, during the latter part of last year, was also lobbying for a two-month tax free bonus for GRA employees for their hard work in helping the Government amass substantial revenue through the collection of the Value Added Tax.
However, Yarde, during a recent press conference, disclosed that the union will now have to take additional action before its representation demands are considered by the relevant authorities.
He disclosed that, during a meeting with the union and Government officials, including Dr Roger Luncheon, Dr Ashni Singh, Dr Jennifer Westford and Dr Nanda Gopaul, on May 23 last at the Office of the President, the legitimate representation of the GPSU was discussed.
The GPSU delegation at that forum was led by the union’s First Vice President, Mr Herman DeSouza.
And according to DeSouza, Dr Luncheon, during that session, had indicated that the union would have to formalise its relationship through its acquisition of an accreditation before it can formally represent employees of GRA.
DeSouza, however, argued that the union has always represented the workers and therefore there should be no need for formalisation of the union.
In the meantime, he disclosed, the GPSU is still awaiting some level of action from Dr Luncheon, who had promised to help sort out the issue.
As a result, a reminder letter was sent to him, DeSouza noted, to which he responded by divulging that the GRA Board has been reconstituted officially, a development he (DeSouza) believes will help the union to effectively represent its members.
But, according to Yarde, “in a nutshell the move is a manoeuvre or a tactic.”
He expressed disheartenment that it is being emphasised by the officials that the change from Custom and Excise Department to the Guyana Revenue Authority requires the union to re-enter into certain agreement.
However, Yarde asserted that the union has already established that there is a law in existence which clearly transfers the union’s representation rights.
“We are playing along…I believe that they may want some time to streamline things. The bottom line, however, is to represent our members,” Yarde stressed.
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